Energy Efficient City Living

The Brief: To design an energy efficient home for a retired couple that is adaptable to allow for aging in place.Design Response: This three bedroom plus library home is located on a corner block in Lochiel Park Green Village. It has been designed to face inward to a generous courtyard for privacy and solar control.

The entrance to this home is tucked along then lane to the South which allows it to sit tight on the boundary and face a Northern courtyard. Its dramatic form features large architecturally-designed shade structures over a substantial part of the façade, providing shading from the low angle East and West sun.The home uses passive design principles to achieve year round comfort. External wall construction is timber frame with multiple cladding selections. A breathable build wrap is used to control moisture while maintaining healthy indoor air quality.

Insulation is a combination of high performance rigid foam over the timber frame and bulk insulation between studs for a total R-value of 4.5. The combined roof and ceiling insulation creates a total R-value of 5.2.

All windows and doors are doubled glazed and fitted with compression seals. Natural ventilation has been carefully factored into the design and aided by the use of ceiling fans in living and bedroom areas.

Recycled, locally sourced and chemical free materials have been chosen for this home and include timber from sustainably managed forests and concrete slab with recycled aggregate.

Rainwater is collected and stored in large tanks on site, while treated stormwater from the community wetlands will supply the cold water taps of the washing machine, toilet flushing and irrigation. The plumbing system also integrates a solar hot water system with gas boost.

All electrical appliances are 5 Star Energy rated and load limiting is achieved with the help of EcoVision monitoring.

These passive design principles combine to give the home a 7.5 star energy rating.